A Pale Hand

Reach out your hand,

and I won’t be afraid

of the offered darkness

that goes along with it.

Though the path is grey and sallow

with the dust of previous travelers,

I will not turn away…

for your remembered desire

and deep red lips

lay at the end

of that night.

You are quite alone,

your lungs deprived of atmosphere

and your eyes

glittering as cold as pain…

it is usual

to fall away

when the darkness

has penetrated.

But I bear on,

braving those frozen arenas

for I see your hand

it is stretched out

and beckons

just a bit farther,

there it is---

held close at night

it would serve dear notice

that one day I too

will die.